🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Sean Ellis
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Fantasy
- Release year: 2021
- Runtime (length): 1h 51min
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10 (33K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 68%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A bunch of landowners get cursed by some gypsies, and then everyone turns into poorly rendered werewolves until someone finds a silver bullet…again.
🍿 The Cursed: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Romani Massacre
In 19th-century rural France, land baron Seamus Laurent orders a brutal massacre of a Romani clan to claim their land. Before their death, the Romani leader curses Seamus and his family, setting in motion a series of horrific events. A key element of the curse is the creation of silver fangs, imbued with dark magic, designed to bring vengeance upon the perpetrators.

Nightmares and Missing Children
Following the massacre, the village is plagued by vivid nightmares and unsettling events. Seamus’s son, Edward, mysteriously disappears after an incident involving the silver fangs. A young boy is found murdered, further escalating the terror and suspicion among the villagers. The locals initially suspect a wild animal is responsible for the attacks.

The Pathologist’s Investigation
A visiting pathologist named John McBride arrives in town to investigate the strange occurrences. He quickly realizes that a more sinister presence is at play than a mere wild animal. McBride’s investigation uncovers the truth behind the curse and the horrifying transformations it inflicts upon its victims.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- John McBride (Boyd Holbrook): A widowed pathologist who investigates the curse plaguing the village, seeking to understand the beast that killed his family.
- Isabelle Laurent (Kelly Reilly): The wife of Seamus Laurent, grappling with the consequences of her husband’s actions and the curse affecting her family.
- Seamus Laurent (Alistair Petrie): The brutal land baron whose massacre of a Roma clan unleashes a deadly curse upon his family and village.
- Edward (Max Mackintosh): Seamus Laurent’s son, who becomes one of the first victims of the curse, transforming into a monstrous creature.
- Charlotte (Amelia Crouch): Seamus Laurent’s daughter, who survives the curse and plays a crucial role in the film’s resolution.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Timmy: “We will all pay for the sins made by our elders. We’re all going to die.” – Timmy, sensing the impending doom, foreshadows the consequences of the villagers’ actions.
- John McBride: “I have seen this before.” – McBride, with his past experience of similar creatures, understands the gravity of the situation.
- Isabelle Laurent: “(Calling out to the beast) Edward?” – Isabelle’s heartbreaking plea to her son as she recognizes him in his monstrous form, highlighting her tragic fate.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $11,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $4,588,389
- Worldwide Gross: $4,588,389
💥 The Cursed Reviews
Personal Review
I went into this expecting another generic werewolf flick, but I was pleasantly surprised! The setting is beautifully bleak, and the opening massacre is brutal. I loved how the werewolf curse was tied to real-world injustices. The scene where the villagers are trapped in the church was incredibly tense and unsettling, even if the ending felt a little rushed. Overall, a solid horror movie that I’d recommend to any genre fan. The scarecrow in the dreams really stuck with me.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of gothic horror films”
- “Viewers interested in unique werewolf lore”
- “Those who appreciate atmospheric and visually striking movies”
- “Individuals interested in historical horror set in the 19th century”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence and gore”
- “Disturbing images and scenes”
- “Themes of vengeance and trauma”
- “Mature content unsuitable for younger viewers”
Professional Reviews
- Variety: “A stylish gothic horror with some chilling moments but ultimately burdened by a convoluted plot and underdeveloped characters. The atmosphere is thick with dread, but the scares feel somewhat predictable.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “Sean Ellis creates a visually striking werewolf tale that leans heavily on atmosphere and gore. While the practical effects are impressive, the narrative meanders, and the ending lacks a satisfying punch.
- IGN: “‘Eight for Silver’ brings something new to the werewolf subgenre. The film is slow-paced, but patient, and is willing to build dread before revealing its creature feature. It’s elevated by terrific practical effects and some truly disturbing scenes.
Audience Reactions
The practical effects and gore were surprisingly well-done, making the horror feel very real.: Viewers appreciated the unique take on werewolf lore and the strong performances from the cast.
The film creates a creepy atmosphere.: The movie’s look and feel.
Overall Consensus: A visually striking but narratively uneven werewolf film that offers some fresh ideas but struggles to deliver a consistently satisfying experience.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The film was originally titled ‘Eight for Silver’.”
- “Sean Ellis has stated that he also took inspiration from the story of the Beast of Gévaudan for writing this film.”
- “The film blends werewolf lore with themes of historical injustice and curses, adding a unique twist to the genre.”
- “Filming took place in Cognac, France, adding to the authentic historical atmosphere.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Cursed?
As of October 2024, “Eight for Silver” (also known as “The Cursed”) is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check JustWatch for current availability in your region. It is often available for purchase as a digital download and on physical media like Blu-ray and DVD through major retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Cursed, you might like these similar films:
- The Witch (2015): Shares a similar atmosphere of dread, historical setting, and exploration of dark folklore.
- Brotherhood of the Wolf (2001): Set in 18th century France, this movie also involves a mysterious beast terrorizing the countryside, investigated by an outsider.
- Ravenous (1999): A horror film set in the 19th century, dealing with dark themes, isolation, and cannibalism, creating a disturbing atmosphere.
- Sleepy Hollow (1999): A period horror film with a detective investigating supernatural occurances in a small village.
🛒 The Cursed Related Products
- Werewolf by Night (2022) (4K UHD): A tale about a secret group of monster hunters thrust into a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic. The Special Presentation, inspired by horror films of the 1930s and 1940s.
- The Complete Hammer House of Horror: A vintage horror show from Britain, in the tradition of Eight for Silver.
- The Wolfman (Universal Pictures): The original horror movie from Universal Pictures.
- Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood: Unleash your inner beast and defend Gaia against the corruption of Endron in this action-packed RPG.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Cursed features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “Main Theme” – performed by Robin Foster
- “Gypsy Curse” – performed by Robin Foster
- “Church Massacre” – performed by Robin Foster
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Eight for Silver’ is a gothic horror film set in 19th-century France. It tells the story of a Romani curse unleashed upon a village after a land baron massacres a Romani clan. The curse transforms people into monstrous creatures, forcing the villagers to confront the consequences of their actions.
As of October 2024, ‘Eight for Silver’ is available for streaming rental or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check JustWatch for current availability in your region.
Yes, ‘Eight for Silver’ is a werewolf movie, but it offers a unique take on the werewolf mythos. The transformations and the nature of the curse are distinct from traditional werewolf stories, focusing more on the themes of vengeance, guilt, and the consequences of violence.
The ending of ‘Eight for Silver’ is ambiguous but suggests that the cycle of violence and the Romani curse may not be completely over. Charlotte returning the silver bullet symbolizes the potential for the curse to resurface in the future, highlighting the enduring impact of past actions.
🔥 Bonus Content
THE WITCH is cursed
Ever seen ‘The Witch’? This video breaks down why it’s such a disturbing and iconic horror movie. I personally think the atmosphere is what makes it truly creepy, you should check it out!
The Cursed Child: 10 GOOD Things From the GARBAGE Harry Potter Sequel
Okay, ‘The Cursed Child’ gets a lot of hate, but this video actually points out some good things about it! Honestly, I was surprised they found anything positive to say – you gotta see this.
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